For those that own new (made in last three years) TOL sewing machines:
 

What brand/make and model do you have?

Which features do you like best?

Use the most?

Which features do you NOT use?

Would you buy that particular brand/make and model again?

what is TOL?

top of the line.

doh! thank you ;-)

As far as sewing (not embroidery) machines -- I have the Janome 7700. It was TOL for Janome when I bought it. I got it because of the large harp, the extra lights and the accufeed. The one thing I do not use is the single hole thingy that comes out for piecing (I piece mainly with the accufeed). I would buy a Janome again -- in fact I have bought the smaller 3160 to take to class. Janome is coming out with new machines so I understand that the 7700 being discontinued so it is available at a lower price.

I bought the Janome 7700 in July 2010. The features I like best are the large harp (quilted a large queen size very easily), the Automatic Plate Converter, and the good lighting.

I use the APC all the time, especially in garment sewing since I don't have a serger. I use a single hole needleplate whenever possible, because I think it gives me better stitch quality and prevents the fabric from being sucked down into the hole, but need to switch back and forth for finishing raw seam edges. My previous machine was a BabyLock Quest, which was a good machine except that changing the plates that had to be screwed down just drove me batty.

That being said, the APC has been problematic for some owners.

I haven't used many of the decorative stitches yet.

I definitely would buy the 7700 again.

I have the Janome 6600 - the features are the same as the 7700 but the 6600 has a smaller harp space.

Features I DO NOT use - Needle threader, knee lift, single hole stitch plate

Features I love and would not do without if I had to replace the machine - Accufeed (built in walking foot), thread cutter, needle up/down with the push of a button, small increment needle left/right positioning, large harp size (but I wouldn't object to even larger harp!!)

Like the others above, I piece with my Accufeed all the time - but I use the accufeed foot with the 1/4" guide and I move my needle position to the right for a scant 1/4" seam - which is the only reason I don't use the single hole stitch plate.

The few times I tried the knee lift I still found myself moving my right hand into position to lift the foot ... so why bother with that dumb rod in between my legs!!

Never used the needle threader, honestly don't know how it works :)

And yes I would buy another Janome again ... drooling over their new one which has a larger harp area and is also an embroidery machine. The dealer gave me a SWEET deal on one but I just can't justify spending $8K on a sewing machine.

7700 for me (Like QuiltnLady, I have the 3160 for class too.)

I like the accufeed, harp space, APC, the free-arm and just the overall heavy feel of the machine. I don't use the deco stitches much. But when I want them, they're there!! I also like the ability to save my stitches in memory.

I have the Janomme 7700 ditto to what everone else has already said, but I love my knee lift :)

I have a husqvarna viking topaz 30 don't know if it's the top of the line but I do like the big embroidery it can do and it has a longer throat for quilting. Yes I would buy Husqvarna again in fact I have a Quilt Designer 11 that I have it's been 7 years now for that machine.

My two machines are not TOL but, I like them and they work fine for me. I don't like the knee lift, or auto needle threader and I don't really like the thread cutter one of them has. Plain and simple is all I need.

I have a Bernina 730 and love it. The stitching, the stitches available the knee lift, needle up/needle down stopping position, the foot control which with your heel you can can raise the needle up or down (in addition to the needle up/down option). The only thing I wish I had was a little larger harp area and evenfeed (accufeed) However they have new models coming out (710, 750,780) which does have those two things. The only thing I would like to mention is that in my experience I would wait until they were out for a while and the bugs were worked out. Unless of course you get a tremendous deal.

What brand/make and model do you have? Janome 6600

Which features do you like best? The range of fancy stitches. In fact, that's all I use it for, since I also have a 1600P I also like the separate bobbin winding motor and cutter.

Use the most? fancy stitches, thread cutter, needle threader, start- stop (I don't use the foot pedal at all)
Which features do you NOT use? knee lift. I have bad knees, so this is no help.
What I DON'T like is the tendency to blow fuses when I am working at speed and make an error. A trip to the dealer is 150 miles. It works just fine if I do.

Would you buy that particular brand/make and model again? In a flash. I have a 6600, a 1600P C, which is my straight sewing work horse, and a little portable, used only for classes. My Janome dealer is a gem. When I have had questions, he or his staff take the time to work them through on the phone or in person. I have been a fan of his for 9 years, since my TOL Bernina lemon died after 3 years of use and good care.

Brother Dreamweaver VX6200D
Features I like the most:
all my brothers have liked any thread I throw at them
AHA feature- never have to mess with tension
Dual-fit foot
Embroidery
wide harp
threads the needle for you literally at the push of a button
bright lights(no longer need my ott-lite)
Do not use:
so far nothing yet, still learning all about it
maybe the knee lift but I will be getting the new foot soon so won't have a need for it , didn't use it that much with my espire towards the end
Yes I would buy it again, I am a diehard brother lover, won't have anything else, other than the babylocks made by brother, might like a juki one day, but definitely will always own a brother. They are reliable and never have problems that I have seen many others on this board with more expensive brands. The only thing I have kind of been peeved about is that they are geared towards quilter's but they left out most of the quilting feet that I had one the espire out of the embroidery model as well as the table so its an extra expense and for the cost they could have left in 30 dollars worth of feet which probably cost they a couple dollars to make.

I have the Janome Horizon 12000 and so far love everything about it. Still haven't used everything or even think I will use all it does. There is nothing I don't like. Well maybe the weight of it.

Janome 7700. I use the needle threader (it makes these aging 50 y/o eyes get a break from threading a needle) all the time, auto thread cutter, large harp for FMQ, have used the start/stop button when my foot pedal went bad and needed to order another one, have used the fancy stitches for repairing my daughter's jeans (making them look 'cool' on the outside of the repair job since it couldn't be hidden) and even quilted a quilt using decorative stitches, the single hole plate, yes, and the zig zag, the accufeed is super easy, and the fact that the feed dogs drop so easily. I also like the fact that they have storage for some of the feet on TOP of the machine.

I bought a Babylock Serenade recently, and am very happy with it. It has dual feed dogs (a must have! for me), love the knee lift, needle up/down button (another must have), thread cutter is ok. Thread cutter is fussy about thread, and makes a small tangle on the back side of the two fabrics, but is very handy sometimes, like if you are sewing straight seams which stop at the seam allowance (for Y seam construction).

I bought a Pfaff Expression 3.0 a year and a half ago. I love the IDT system, the large harp, the needle threader and the needle up/down button. I like having all the different stitches and have used most of them for different things. I do wish it had a thread cutter.

I love my Elna 740, it has the same features as the 7700 Janome. I would buy it again and I also have aViking Diamond. I would buy the Elna or the Viking Diamond again. I also love Janome.

Janome 6600....I love her dearly and would buy another Janome in a flash (maybe upgrade)....I love and can't do without the auto-threader, the accufeed, the auto-cut and the fancy stitches....I do not use the push button for on/off and despise the knee lift (too many years without a kneelift burn those habits into your brain)....oh yeah - she will sew with whatever thread I put in her - not fussy at all.

I am glad to see your review. I am curious about this machine and/or the Baby Lock Crescendo which I believe is very similar. I do use three very basic mechanical Brother machines and am very happy with them.

I have the Husqvarna Viking Designer Diamond AND the Topaz 30. I LOVE LOVE LOVE them. I use the Diamond just for machine embroidery which does awesome huge designs, has wonderful adjustable lighting, and just too many features to list. I rarely use it for regular sewing because I have the Topaz 30 for that. They both have the larger neck for quilting. I miss the large screen on the Topaz 30, but it does nearly all that the Diamond does, for about $7000 less. All of my machines have been TOL when they were purchased, except for the Topaz. Since I have always done so much sewing, I figure I should always buy up from what I think I need or want. I have never regretted this. I also have the earliest Designer I, then the Designer SE. I still use them all. The D1 is my everyday do-it-all machine, the SE has the walking foot on it all the time. You can never have too many machines.

Ruby, I have the MC12000 too that I just traded up for. So far so good ... I'm still in shock spending that kind of money, although I traded up for it, so it was a bit better than buying it outright lol

First off, I think TOL is not important. It is what you like, what works for you. And what you can afford.

I have a Singer Precision, purchased May, 2009, $199.99 Target. Best features? None! What do I use the most? The pedal. Feature not used? Needle threader -never worked anyhow. Buy again? Probably not. I am used to Betsy Bobbin and just paid $50.00 for a tune-up. She is happy, I am happy. When she quits and the White quits, I quit!!!(I do have an over 60 year old White that I can fall back on....doesn't do as much as this one does, just goes back and forth and now is the best backup anyone could ask for!

Unless, of course, I win a lottery!!!!! Or a jackpot at the casino! Don't scoff --- my Mom won a $400 jackpot and bought herself a Husqvarna and made the most beautiful quilts you have ever seen. And she was in her 80's. (I don't think the casino was too happy because she didn't put the money back into the machine. I learned that from her as well as everything I know about quilting. I just don't win $400 jackpots......just $10 - $20. I save that for fabric, tools, thread, what else do I need??????

Hey, Minnesota - beautiful day today! Make it a good one! Edie

I have a Pfaff Creative 4.0. I absolutely love it.
It has a very large harp for FMQ.
It has a built in walking foot.
Thread Cutter and hundreds of stitches.
It has one really cool feature for chain piecing. When you stop to add the next piece the pressure foot will rise about an 1/8 of an inch so you can slide the next piece under the foot. Wonderful feature for quilters.
I have owned Pfaffs for 30 years and I love them. I would buy this machine again if I needed a new machine.

All of my Vikings have always done that. I thought that was just something they ALL did. I love that feature too, for chain piecing. I have arthritis pretty much all over, but my wrists don't bend much, so the auto needle threader and cutter are what drew me to the Vikings.

I have a Janome 12000 which is less than a year old. It's my second Janome. I quilt and FMQ almost every day on it and have never had a problem. Great stitch selection and variability. Every foot I could ever use. Love the embroidery ability as well. That's my goal this fall...to become as comfortable with that capacity as well. Excited to use all my embroidery threads and stabilizers. Wouldn't buy anything other than a Janome....love love love my machine.

Ditto! I love everything in mine except the needle threader it never worked well. I would have to send my machine to the dealer but just cant and what would I use while it's there ;-)
I have theembroidery attachment with it and also love it.

I think most people stick with a brand they are familiar with. I have never tried any other brand except for my Vikings, mainly because the dealer is in my local Joann store, and her service and knowledge is beyond spectacular. The other dealers are too far away to make checking them out practical.

I would say for anyone considering a new machine, to make sure you have a GOOD dealer, and good customer service. You never know when you will need it. Also what is important to you in a machine may be far different than what I need. Buying a sewing machine is really no different than buying a car, or even a house for that matter. Take your time, and get informed.

Well Said!!!
Absolutely vital to have a dealer that will be there to service your machine ... and to help you if you are having troubles, on the phone or IRL, as needed. A bargain/deal does not prove to be such when you can't resolve a problem, get service, parts, etc.


Me? I purchased a Janome 6600, a year ago (my third Janome).
Love all the features and use most as appropriate.
Seldom use the fancy stitches, though they are there when I do want them.
Absolutely love the needle up/down, auto-thread, start-stop, accu-feed, wider throat, etc.

The knee lift is annoying as some say ... though it's all about practice, practice, practice ... and I am coming to like it. Someone suggested on the QB before, to use my left foot on the pedal and the right knee on the lift and that has made a difference to my getting used to it. Some sewing I do not use it, though for some, I see huge advantages ... now for the practice, practice, practice, to get more comfortable and adept in using it! :)

As for what I do not like about it... nothing!!

..........well, that's not exactly true ..........Because it has helped me come to love FMQing, I now want a larger throat and would like more consistency in FMQ stitches (BSR-like, though I keep hearing negatives about it's functioning). So I'm following this thread to see what machines that may be the answer to my dreams!

There is also something else to consider...Husqvarna Vikings almost yearly have updates and upgrades that are downloadable through the Manufacturer's website. Since I got my Diamond 2 years ago, there have been several updates that added more fancy stitches, and easier movement through the onscreen menu. These are no-cost to the owner. I have no idea if other manufacturers offer this, but I think it is something else to consider when you purchase....seems that as soon as you buy a new machine it becomes "obsolete" because of new options on a new machine.

I have a babylock Ellegante. It is a wonderful machine and comes with almost all of the feet you could ever use. It has a wonderful stitch and does beautiful embroidery. It also connects to my computer for downloading embroidery patterns, has an editor built in and has built in tutorials on the screen. I LOVE IT

I have the Brother Quattro 2. Love this machine. I have owned brother machines for many years (also New Home-Janome and Elna) and have never had any problems with any of them. Finding a good dealer is important. I use almost everything the machine has except the knee lift...just not used to it yet. I need to take more classes to use some of the features that I did not understand at my classes.
My warranty is fantastic. I have not used it for this machine , but my last brother had a major computer issue. So bad, it had to go back to the factory. They repaired it very quickly, updated the computer, fixed a timing issue and replaced a foot that I had a bad nic in. ( the computer issue caused quite a bit of damage to parts) I paid for shipping, but everything else was covered by warranty.
Buy the best you can afford.

I have Janome's Marie Osmond Quilter's Companion (MQ200), and love love love it. When I bought it to replace my very old New Home machine, I was more into garment making than quilting. Then I added the Janome 1100 serger and Janome 200 embroidery machine to my studio. IF I won the lottery, I'd really like to add the 12000.

Features that I like on Marie: needle up-down (totally new concept to me 2 years ago when I got Marie that I'm SO hooked on now), the ability to close up that little hole on the throat plate to get really even top-stitching, and I like the fancier stitches for embellishment on some of my projects.

What I wish I had - larger throat area! More decorative stitches! Ability to sew over thicker fabrics or more layers of fabrics without hick-ups. Ability to embroider larger pieces on my embroidery machine! Auto threader on my serger! More money for fabric and machines! To be financially independent so that I didn't have to work and could sew all day long! LOL!

My Janome dealer/LQS owner has unleashed the stitchery monster within me!

Elna 740. I absolutely love it, and it gets loads of use. It's a little fussier than my Elna 6003, in that it wants to be cleaned more often, but it's still a workhorse, with many wonderful features, and very easy to use. I also LOVE my dealer. They send me bobbin cases if I need them and can't drive the 130 miles, or help me over the phone, besides being VERY wonderful when I take my machines up for their annual (or bi-annual?) appointments! In fact, there's Elna machine envy that has resulted in a few more sales!

The knee lifter should be to the SIDE of your leg, not between your legs. The idea is to nudge it with your knee, to lift the presser foot. Sounds like yours needed its position adjusted.

I have the Janome 6600 too. I LOVE IT!! I love the knee lift - and I keep the knee lift on the outside of my right knee (not between my legs). I use the Accufeed a lot. The needle threader is awesome (since I can't see that darn tiny hole) :). I have used the decorative stitches and the monograming. I have done 2 free motion quilts on it and it's wonderful. In fact, I'm thinking about selling my midarm machine and frame. I upgraded from a New Home My Excel 23L. So much better - although my little New Home still runs like a dream.

I have the Janome 6600 and love it. However, would someone from up above here explain how you use the Accufeed foot with the quarter inch foot??? I haven't been using the Accufeed foot to piece because of needed the 1/4 inch foot for seam control, so now I'm wondering what I'm missing. Please tell me how to do what you're doing.

I bought the Janome Horizon 7700 this summer. I love it. I always had very basic machines before. Love the automatic plate changer, the up/down button, the decorative stitches. Especially like the 15 feet, I think having the right foot does the job better. I love choosing a stitch and the computer suggests the foot, stitch length/width, needle plate and feed dog position. Lower dog feeds with a switch on side of machine. Have used fine embroidery thread and 30# thread and have had no problems. I always use the same thread in the needle and bobbin. I spent 2 days at my sewing center sewing on the 6600 and the 7700. I think the 6600 was probably a better buy for the money, but I was working on a quilt and the large harp (11.5" wide x 4.75" high) on the 7700 was easier to move the quilt through. I have been having fun and sewing more than ever. I would buy it again. I'd love to try a Bernina, but no one around here sells them, I agree about having a good dealer.

I have a Babylock Ellegante, and I LOVE it! There are too many features to mention and it just does a great job. Also have the serger, which is wonderful, mostly because of the threading. The best machines I have ever had are Elna's, tho. In my opinion, they are tops!
Judy